Deadline set in NHL negotiations

TROY – With the NHL’s deadline of a new deal needing to be in place by Jan. 11 in order to allow a 48-game season to begin on Jan. 19, there is a sense of optimism among the players.

And it’s the deadline that has them feeling that way.

“These negotiations aren’t easy, they’re painstakingly slow, the frustrating part of it, the back and forth, the rhetoric, but at the end of the day both sides want to get a deal done and we all know what’s at stake and that’s our game,” Danny Cleary said Wednesday after skating with a few of his teammates at Troy Sports Center. “All we want to do is get back out there and play, but we have to have an agreement. There has to be something that’s fair to both sides. I know they’re working hard together at it so that’s all you can ask for.”

Wednesday marked Day 109 of the lockout.

“The fact that both sides are meeting together and exchanging proposals and getting closer (is a good sign),” Cleary said. “But regardless of where we are, are we close, what issues are locked down on, I really don’t know. All I know is they’re working hard on it and they’re going back and forth.”

Talks began to heat up once NHL commissioner Gary Bettman placed a “drop-dead date” to begin the season. Both sides have exchanged counters to proposals over the last two days.

“We’ve been talking about that term since September, the roller coaster, the tide of emotions that go with it, anytime they get together in New York or Toronto and proposals are exchanged fireworks kind of go off and then they burn out quickly,” Cleary said. “Now there’s a window of opportunity here that we all know is getting smaller and smaller. Bottom line is they’re talking. That’s all you can hope for as a fan, as a player. They’re talking. I don’t know what’s going on. I know they’re in the same building.”

There’s also a possibility of the players’ union filing a disclaimer of interest to begin disbanding by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. That would allow players to file anti-trust lawsuits against the league to challenge the legality of the lockout.

“I know the deadline is (Wednesday) tonight, but I haven’t heard anything,” Cleary said. “All I know is we all know how the vote went. Whether or not that’s going to be implemented, I don’t know.”

The players, who could extend the deadline if they feel a deal is close to being done, voted 706-22 in favor of allowing the NHLPA executive board to file.

“There’s been no information getting out,” Cleary said. “This is a very sensitive time in negotiations and it’s very important because we don’t need any antics from anybody as far as anyone getting upset.

“I’m trying to get as much information as I can and relay it to the guys in the locker room so everybody is informed and up to date,” Cleary added. “That’s all you can do, trust the leadership that we have.”

Cleary says he can call or text NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr for updates anytime. If Fehr doesn’t respond another representative will get back with him.

According to numerous reports the main sticking points seem to be the players’ pension fund and the salary cap for next season. The league wants a $60 million cap for next season, while the players want it to be $67 million.

The sides seem to have resolved or made good progress on a number of issues – length on contracts, length of the deal and revenue sharing.

“Both sides know what is important to each other and that’s been outlined in the last 72 hours,” Cleary said. “The league has been steadfast in what they really need and the union as well. Now you got to try to bridge that gap. It’s just too bad it’s taken this long. But, who knows. We’re all hopeful.”

The players were locked out at midnight on Sept. 16.

This is the third lockout under NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s watch.

The first, in 1994-95, ended after 103 days. The last time the league locked the players out it resulted in the cancellation of the 2004-05 season.

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